…french boy and I swam in the ocean, bayside; sipped champagne; played crib in the shade of a eucalypt tree; ate chocolate; watched boats decorated with australian flags pass by; got muddy feet from walking through a small mangrove forest; and got colours, albeit a little too many.
Yesterday was my birthday. I share it with Australia. But sometimes on my birthday, I like not to share at all.
xx
Under palm trees and ferns, through an ancient archway and across a grand lawn is an incredibly inspiring slice of Sydney history called Vaucluse House. I have visited this house many times over the years. Mostly to wander the gardens and imagine the life of all who have nurtured the estate over the years. Because it’s not the opulence of this home that I love, it’s the simplicity in the detail of the way things were…
Of all the bedrooms in the house this is my favourite – it is tucked at the end of an upstairs hall. I can’t remember whose room it belonged to in its day, but it inspires me all the same. The most incredible space in the house though, without a doubt, is the kitchen and adjoining larder and dairy rooms…
The simple, functional furnishings and design are beautiful…
And what house is complete without the ultimate head housemaid’s room a.k.a in more modern times as “the laundry room”…
Isn’t it glorious? One of the first times I ever visited Vaucluse House was for an evening play in the gardens. It was a date with my boyfriend, I was just 18 years old. He had packed a delicious evening picnic and when we arrived we were instructed to find a patch of lawn to call our own. The audience were scattered across the front grounds, only about 30 people in total. Before the play began we ate our picnic, and watched the sun begin to set in the sky. Before the night fell the performance began. It was Lady Chatterly’s Lover.
Various scenes were played out in various parts of the estate, and the audience were quietly informed at the end of each scene to meet at the stables, or near the well, or by the garden gate. It was pitch black, the stars shone brightly above and the air was balmy. I was mesmerized – completely enraptured by the romance, and scenery. It remains to be one of the most wonderful performances (and yes, dates) I have ever encountered…
I’m not sure if they still hold plays in the gardens of Vaucluse House. But a visit to the house and then lunch in the tearooms is just as wonderful.
On Saturday I met the lovely Lee Tran Lam for breakfast at Baffi & Mo on Redfern St. Lee Tran had recommended it some time ago (for those who don’t know, Lee Tran writes a fabulous food blog called the unbearable lightness of being hungry) and she knew from my blog that I love a decent breakfast and a good, real chai so she was eager for me to try this place out once back in Sydney.
I chose the ricotta hotcakes with fresh figs and honey. It was superb, and as for the chai? It was perfect.
Thank you Lee Tran! It was wonderful finally meeting you, I hope we get to do this again sometime.
xx
Last week I took my mum and french boy to Vaucluse House for lunch in the tearooms. It is one of my favourite places to go in Sydney for a slice of historial home inspiration. I will share some photos of the house itself soon but for now, I just wanted to show you what I had for lunch…
…aren’t the colours glorious? To me, this epitomises food in Australia – fresh, healthy, creative, inspiring and utterly delicious. I then had some scones with jam and chantilly cream, and a cup of english breakfast tea. What a treat.
